Today, the Hokage's office was far from its usual calm. Besides the current Hokage, Minato Namikaze, the office also hosted the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Konoha's three senior advisors—Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.
Minato sat behind his desk while the others occupied the sofas nearby. No one spoke. The air was heavy with tension.
A few moments later, a sharp knock broke the silence.
"Come in," Minato said.
With permission granted, an ANBU wearing a cat-mask opened the door and stepped inside. Ignoring everyone else, he went straight to Minato and reported:
"Hokage-sama, the Hyuga clan members have arrived downstairs."
The voice was young—still in its change, by the sound of it—and his short stature made it clear this ANBU wasn't very old.
Before Minato could respond, a cold snort sounded from the sofa.
"Hmph! The Hyuga clan is becoming more and more unruly!"
"Before the matter is even settled, they're already rushing to claim credit!"
"If every ninja in the village behaved like them, how are we supposed to govern anyone?"
"Minato, Hiruzen—this is all because you've both been far too indulgent!"
The speaker, Homura Mitokado, had been simmering since the previous day. When Danzo heard that the Hyuga were seeking access to the Scroll of Seals, he'd tried to block it—only for Hiruzen to brush him aside. Not one to give up, Danzo had dragged both Homura and Koharu along today to demand an explanation.
The three advisors were firmly opposed to lending out the Scroll of Seals.
Officially, they claimed it was to prevent any forbidden jutsu from leaking and endangering the village. But in truth, their goal was simple—to stop Hiruzen, Minato, and the Hyuga clan from drawing closer together.
Even after all these years, Konoha was not ruled by a single man's word. Power struggles among the factions had never ceased. Though Danzo, Homura, and Koharu were all Hiruzen's former comrades, their authority existed precisely to check his own.
As for Minato, the young and soft-spoken Fourth Hokage, his lack of political foundation left him unable to manage Konoha's entrenched clans. He'd soon realized that the Hokage's title alone wasn't enough to command loyalty—he needed allies.
Hiruzen understood this perfectly. Between his old comrades and his bright-eyed successor, the one more easily guided was clearly Minato.
Thus, the moment Hiruzen and Minato set foot in the Hyuga compound, the political game had already begun.
Homura's sharp tone drew everyone's eyes toward him. Minato looked awkward, unsure how to smooth things over. Out of respect for seniority, he turned to Hiruzen for help.
Even future Hokage like Tsunade, granddaughter of the First, would one day find themselves bound by these same advisors. Their power could hobble even the strongest of leaders.
"Let's not call it seeking credit," Hiruzen said evenly. "The Hyuga clan did provide eight elite ninja to help guard Kushina during childbirth. We're all one village—supporting each other is natural."
"Or is there some reason you distrust the Hyuga clan?"
Homura fell silent. Distrust the Hyuga? No one dared say that aloud. For all his seniority, even Homura knew better than to provoke such a powerful clan publicly.
"Come now, Hiruzen," Koharu interjected mildly. "You know that's not what he meant. But the Scroll of Seals contains forbidden techniques. If anything were to go wrong, the consequences would be disastrous."
Then Danzo leaned forward, seizing the moment.
"Can you guarantee, Hiruzen, that nothing will happen if the Hyuga borrow the scroll? Or you, Fourth Hokage—can you make that guarantee?"
The question made Hiruzen fall silent. Guarantees were traps; once you gave one, fate had a way of proving you wrong.
Danzo's Root had always acted beyond his control. These "old comrades" of his were anything but harmless. They'd even blamed him for Konoha's losses in the Third Ninja War and forced him to step down. If not for them, Hiruzen would still be Hokage today—look at Onoki of Iwagakure, who was older and still in office!
Now fifty-seven, Hiruzen was far from "retirement age." He could still fight, still rule—but politics had its own rules.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said finally, "whatever you say, I already promised Hiashi that the Hyuga would be allowed access. Minato agreed as well. As Hokage, we must keep our word."
Danzo's lips curled. "We're not asking you to break your word."
He paused for effect, his tone dripping with false reason.
"However… the Scroll of Seals isn't something just anyone can read, is it?"
"I hear Hiashi made this request for his son—a five-year-old boy who wants to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
He gave a dry chuckle.
"In that case, isn't it reasonable for us to first assess whether the child even has the aptitude?"
"If not, then it's better he realize it early and give up. That way, no one's faith will be broken, and no one's time wasted."
"Of course, if the boy does show extraordinary talent, then so much the better. Nurturing Konoha's next generation is our duty, after all."
It was clear they had come prepared. If Hiruzen and Minato kept opposing them, it would turn into an open rift among the village's leadership—something neither man could allow while the war was still raging.
Besides, deep down, both Hiruzen and Minato had to admit—Danzo's reasoning wasn't entirely without sense.
The boy might be gifted, but the Flying Thunder God wasn't something anyone could learn. If he truly lacked the aptitude, it would be kinder to let him fail fast.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said slowly, "and how exactly do you plan to 'assess' this aptitude? Don't make this into another one of your games."
Danzo's smile widened.
"Games? Hardly. My method may not be perfect, but I believe even the Hyuga will find it convincing."
He turned toward the young ANBU standing before Minato.
"Right there—isn't he the perfect test?"
"Kakashi Hatake, Konoha's well-known prodigy. And yet, even he couldn't master the Flying Thunder God, could he?"
"My proposal is simple: if that boy of the Hyuga clan can defeat Kakashi, then he has my approval to access the Scroll of Seals."
"Of course, given the child's age, this promise has no time limit. Whenever Hiashi's 'genius' son manages to defeat Kakashi, the permission will stand."
"If not… perhaps he should stick to his clan's own techniques for a few more years."
Danzo's smirk deepened as he leaned back in his seat. "That's the official position of the Advisor Council, Hiruzen. You can relay it to the Hyuga yourself."
At those words, the young ANBU—none other than Kakashi—turned his head sharply toward Danzo, his expression hidden behind the mask but utterly incredulous.
What the—? How did I get dragged into this?!
......
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